Friday Notes: Lions Sign Keary Colbert, Two More Rookie Free Agents

by Sean Yuille on May 8, 2009 2:51 AM EDT in Notes Comment 11 comments

After working out wide receiver Keary Colbert on Wednesday, the Lions signed him on Thursday. Colbert played for the Lions toward the end of last season once the IR started to fill up.
The Lions also signed running back Antone Smith of Florida State and center Dan Gerberry of Ball State. Both players attended last weekend's rookie minicamp as tryouts.
Ernie Sims apparently feels much more comfortable in the Lions' new defense.
New Lions offensive lineman Kirk Barton recently had an interesting experience at a Britney Spears concert. He also is staying in a hotel for 56 nights on the Lions' tab. Barton thinks the Lions are "head and shoulders" above other NFL teams he's played for when it comes to ownership and food.
Grady Jackson was excused from the OTA earlier this week for "personal reasons," and we now know exactly why he was gone. His brother, a football player hoping to make it in the NFL, allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and then shot himself. His brother survived the shooting and was arraigned on a first-degree murder charge. What is so odd about this story is that Jackson's brother survived a shooting back in 2002. In that case he was an innocent victim, and the shooting put his football career on hold. Only now did he work his way back to the point where he had a shot at getting a tryout with an NFL team, and now he has thrown it all away.
As most of you heard yesterday, ESPN officially hired Matt Millen.
Brett Favre reportedly is not going to unretire -- at least not yet, anyways. It is only May, after all. I'm willing to bet this isn't the last we will hear of this story. In fact, if I had to make a prediction, I would say late June/early July is when talk of Favre signing with the Vikings comes about again.

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Comments

that is a messed up..

story about Grady’s brother. I am happy though that Favre re-retired, again. I feel that the Vikes really did not get better in the off season. I know they brought in Sage to be the QB. But I dont think he is that much of an up-grade. The Pack and Bears got better. Vikes stay the same.

by JCruize on May 8, 2009 3:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I bet Percy Harvin is gonna be damn good in the NFL.

by BIGWalt2990 on May 8, 2009 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For a couple years

Until a 250lbs linebacker catches him in the open field and crushes his 180lbs frame.

I have never been a fan of the little Reggie Bush/Ted Ginn/Deven Hester scat back. Their little frames help them be quick all over the field, but it also means they’re susceptible to durability issues. Sure, they make for good highlights, but if you look at the stats of those 3 guys in the NFL, you would not be as high on Harvin. (or as high as Harvin. Waka waka!)

by ATL Lion on May 8, 2009 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL Fozzy

What about Santana Moss and Randle-el? Steve Smith? Hines Ward? The list goes on and on. Harvin might end up being great, and he might end up in a wheelchair…..but his size is not going to be the key factor. If he gets the ball in space, and his QB doesn’t lay the ball up there where he is open to get killed, he could very easily be a great player like the other small stars in the league. If he can see them coming, he will not take huge hits. If he is forced to go over the middle every play, and his QB has a propensity to hang him out to dry, he will not last. In that aspect, his size could play a factor, I agree.

by KDawg on May 10, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yay Antone Smith

He had a lot of trouble trying to run middle behind FSUs line the last couple years, but he is great at catching the ball out of the backfield and he has that quickness that lets him run away from defenders.

He is similar to Leon Washington; not as quick , but has better hands.

by ATL Lion on May 8, 2009 8:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's the general consensus

He’s a great pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on May 8, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Antone Smith

Kid looked great in the utube videos, small, speedy with good burst. He might have a chance to make the team…

by msivits on May 8, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey guys, Arrowhead Pride member here

Can anyone say how Holtzclaw did in rookie camp? And what seems to be his status with the Lions?

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on May 8, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn't ever hear anything about him

And he didn’t actually get signed. He was only a tryout. I’d assume that means he is a free agent still.

Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on May 8, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Noticed another player on our roster Jason Hunter DE Appalacian St.

More fresh meat for the practice squad we can field to full rosters now
Schwartz only has about 60 players to cut before fall

by Runnin' Rebel on May 8, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jason Hunter was assigned

off waivers from the Packers. He was released because the Packers believe that he will not transiiton well to OLB in their new 3-4 scheme. He could be a good 4-3 DE.

by KDawg on May 10, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs